IF YOU are keen to tune in to some of the best, up-to-the-minute, world-class UK jazz, there are three essential gigs this weekend.

The tiny village of Brawby, North of Malton, has a nationally recognized venue for contemporary jazz and world music at Simon Thackray's The Shed. Tomorrow night sees the appearance of Pinski Zoo. Led by saxophonist Jan Kopinski, The Zoo have been a great favourite at Leeds Jazz over the past 15 years and I have boogaloo-ed to their exciting "free funk jazz" on many occasions. Almost impossible to categorise or describe in words, I can only urge you to aim for The Shed to hear their compelling live performance. Call The Shed on 01653 668494.

After last week's successful mini-tour with the Kid Boyd Band, Alan Barnes returns to our region tomorrow night. Alan comes to the Shire Hall, Howden, with American saxophonist Rickey Woodard, details from 01430 431535 (9-5pm) or 01430 431488.

Alongside the innovations of Pinski Zoo during the 1980s, an exciting and anarchic big band commune known as Loose Tubes was also forging a distinctive sound. Influenced by South African township jazz, Latin American and world music, this 21-piece cooperative of young musicians was unlike any big band or jazz orchestra ever seen before. Loose Tubes disbanded in the early 1990s, but the individual members continue to produce some of the most exciting sounds in Europe today.

Martin France was the drummer with Loose Tubes and he is still an important part of the British jazz scene. On Sunday, Martin leads his Spin Marvel group into the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, and he brings with him fellow-Tubers Iain Ballamy (saxophone), John Parricelli (guitar) and the keyboard genius of Django Bates. York University alumnus Tim Harries completes the line-up on bass.

This is Martin's first tour leading his own band and the music was commissioned by Cheltenham Jazz Festival last May, when it became the surprise hit of the festival. Sunday's concert is the final event of the J Night York International Jazz Series in conjunction with the York Late Music Festival. The National Centre for Early Music is in St Margaret's Church, Walmgate; call 01904 658338 for details.

Back to tonight, Wakefield Jazz continues to maintain the highest of standards with the presentation of John Etheridge's Sweet Chorus. John has worked with Birelli Lagrene, Nigel Kennedy and Pat Metheny, but this band is a tribute to Stephane Grappelli, with whom John toured for many years. Expect music from the Django Reindhart repertoire, together with some Duke and Coltrane. Details from 01924 782339. By the way, Stacey Kent appears at Wakefield Jazz on May 2 in a ticket-only concert; call that same number now.

Jazz at the Crown, Boston Spa, tomorrow night presents the River City Jazz Band. Details from 01937 842544.

London-based, Australian-born Trudy Kerr will be singing tracks from her successful recent CD, A Tribute To Chet Baker, at two clubs in our region next week. Trudy appears at Scarborough Jazz at Scholars Bar on Tuesday (01723 379818) and at Hulljazz at the Goodfellowship Inn on Wednesday (01482 492868). Her backing band alone is worth the price of entry - Sebastiaan deKrom (drums), Geoff Gascoyne (bass) and Steve Melling (keyboards).

The Leeds International Jazz Education Conference takes place next weekend on April 4 and 5. A stimulating mix of talks, discussions and workshops will include live music from Dave O'Higgins, Andrea Vicari and others. For more details call Louise Wood on 0113 222 3422 or email l.wood@lcm.ac.uk

Updated: 09:16 Friday, March 28, 2003